Man Flu : Fact Versus Fiction

Man Flu is simply a cold, the symptoms of which are greatly exaggerated by men.

FALSE - Man Flu is a serious and potentially life threatening illness, and
will no doubt soon be on the Health and Safety Executive's list of Reportable
Diseases. Man Flu is a distinct disease in its own right, and should not be misdiagnosed as a mere common cold.

Women can catch Man Flu

FALSE - Man Flu does not attack humans with the XX chromosome, only those with the XY chromosome. This genetic mutation
effectively immunises females against Man Flu. This may account for the reason that women widely believe that Man Flu is
actually just the common cold, but with a bit of extra drama thrown in for good measure.

The best way to deal with Man Flu is to just 'get on with it'

FALSE - Extensive research has proven that the only way to combat the crippling effects of Man Flu is complete withdrawal to
the sofa and uninterrupted mollycoddling by the girlfriend / wife.

Men have a slower recovery rate from Man Flu than women do from the common cold

TRUE - The effects of Man Flu can linger for days and days, compared with just a few hours for the common cold. If the man is
not permitted the correct period of convalescence following an attack of Man Flu he can be plunged back into
a critical condition (see The Woman's Role as Carer).

Man Flu is just a way for men to get sympathy / time off
work / time in front of the telly

FALSE - Man Flu is a bona-fide and debilitating illness, would men make a meal of that sort
of thing?

The pain and suffering of Man Flu is similar to that of child birth

TRUE - Though at least with child birth it's all done and dusted in a few hours, but Man Flu can last for weeks...

The best cure for Man Flu is a cocktail of Night Nurse, Day Nurse, chicken noodle soup and whiskey.

FALSE - There is no cure for Man Flu. Once infected the afflicted can only hope that the gods roll the dice in favour of life rather than slow,
lingering death.

While suffering from Man Flu, men would like nothing more than to go to work and try to forget about their affliction.

TRUE - However, men recognise the huge risk of spreading Man Flu to other
men. Indeed, a single cough in the wrong direction could hold
enough Man Flu germs to wipe out a small rainforest tribe.